60 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

Pics coming soon. I just got back from a vacation and haven't unpacked my camera yet.

[Mettcollsuss]

4-2-18

Moved them into a THA Type III Mini Hearth.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, April 5 2018 - 11:35 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

4-5-18

Moving them back into a test tube.

 

I'm now almost fully convinced that they are F. neorufibarbis; the worker is way too dark to be incerta. Since F. neorufibarbis isn't native to Illinois, I will keep this only until I am able to release them somewhere they are native.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, April 5 2018 - 11:38 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

4-15-18

 

 

 

 

 

[Canadian anter]

This definetly isn't Formica neorufibarbis. This might be Formica neoclara.

[Mettcollsuss]

F. neoclara workers are orange and black, while this worker is solid black.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, April 28 2018 - 2:48 PM.

[Canadian anter]

Formica neoclara can be quite dark. Additionally, Formica neorufibarbis have a lot more pubescence on the gaster.

[TennesseeAnts]

Ant_Dude's #1 rule of ant keeping: never sell/release Formica spp.

[Mettcollsuss]

Ant_Dude's #1 rule of ant keeping: never sell/release Formica spp.

how come?

[TennesseeAnts]

They are awesome!

[TennesseeAnts]

And, now that I can see them more clearly, I am not so sure these are Formica neorufibarbis. Could you get a pic of the queen's head or thorax?

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 26 2018 - 6:45 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

And, now that I can see them more clearly, I am not so sure these are Formica neorufibarbis. Could you get a pic of the queen's head?

I'll try. What do you think they might be?

[CoolColJ]

How come you moved them back to a test tube from the Mini hearth?

[TennesseeAnts]

I am not sure yet.....

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 19 2018 - 7:04 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

4-20-18

Current brood count is at 5 medium larvae, one small larvae, and 3 eggs.

[Mettcollsuss]

4-28-18

They've got three pupae now, as well as two or three large larvae and one medium. They also have a decent pile of 5-6 eggs. I'll update again once the new workers eclose.

[Mettcollsuss]

And, now that I can see them more clearly, I am not so sure these are Formica neorufibarbis. Could you get a pic of the queen's head or thorax?

I got a bunch of pictures, I hope one of these helps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TennesseeAnts]

The queen's thorax looks a bit too light for the F. neorufibarbis I know.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 29 2018 - 8:37 AM.

[Canadian anter]

Could it just be Formica pallidefulva ?

[Mettcollsuss]

Could it just be Formica pallidefulva ?

F. pallidefulva can range in color quite a bit, but some of the darker variations look just like these. I know I switch up the ID on this colony a lot, but I think this is the closest guess I've gotten so far. Thanks!